KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Minister of Karamoja Affairs Dr Mary Gorreti Kitutu and her brother Michael Naboya Kitutu are expected to re-appear before the anti-corruption court today Thursday, April 27, 2023, as investigations into the ongoing iron sheets scandal continue.
Kitutu and her brother were on April 14th released on bail after spending 8 days in Luzira prison for their role in mismanaging over 14,500 iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme.
The Anti-Corruption Court’s Chief Magistrate, Ms Joan Aciro is expected to preside over the matter with Mr Joshua Abaho, Kitutu’s Senior Assistant Secretary also expected to appear today to answer charges related to corruption after criminal issued to him two weeks ago.
Mr Abaho is accused of diverting 9000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 belonging to the state, for purposes unrelated to those for which they were intended and for the benefit of third parties.
Abaho together with Minister Kitutu and her brother allegedly committed the offence between June 2022 and January 2023 at the Office of the Prime Minister’s stores in Namanve, Mukono District.
According to state prosecution, Dr Kitutu is accused of allegedly diverting iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people in Karamoja to her own benefit and to the benefit of third parties, having reason to believe that such an act would result in the loss of public property.
Under the charge of conspiracy to defraud, the DPP contends that the minister and Mr Abaho, between June 2022 and January 2023, allegedly conspired to defraud beneficiaries under the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets.
Kitutu and her brother have since denied the charges.
If convicted of the charges, Kitutu could spend at least 10 years in prison but the Minister has since denied the charges of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud the government.
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